St. Joseph's Training Centre, Ennis

MISSION STATEMENT

"We provide for the educational, training and personal needs for our students,
while recognising and accepting the Traveller culture".
Our core values are human dignity and respect.

HISTORY OF CENTRE

The Ennis Traveller's Training Centre was the first in the country. It started as part of a Combat Poverty Programme in 1974. At that time, it was located in the grounds of the Holy Family School, Ennis. In 1982 the centre moved to a pre-fabricated building of approximately 3,000sq. ft. in the Industrial Estate, Gort Rd., Ennis, Co. Clare.

This move resulted from a meeting in the Ennis Courthouse of the following agencies, Clare VEC, FAS, Clare County Council, Shannon Development, County Development Team, Local Settlement Committee and the late Bishop Harty. It was agreed by general consensus that all the state and voluntary agencies present would provide input and support to the running of the centre.

Up until April 1998 the centre was financially supported by Clare V.E.C., FAS and Clare County Council. Since April 1998 Co. Clare VEC manage the centre. The centre is managed by an inter-departmental committee representative of the following interests: Co. Clare V.E.C, FAS, Traveller's, Bishops Rep., Mid-Western Health Board, Co. Enterprise Board, Teacher's Rep.